There have been a range of reactions to manager of Lennox Lewis and UKIP candidate, formerly known as Frank Maloney’s announcement that she is trangender.
Kellie Maloney revealed in an interview with the Sunday Mirror that she felt she had always had a “female brain”, but that she feared coming out over how the boxing world would react.
Maloney, 61, told the Mirror that she now plans to undergo gender reassignment surgery.
She said: “I can’t keep living in the shadows, that is why I am doing what I am today. Living with the burden any longer would have killed me.”
Many media outlets continually referred to Maloney using male pronouns, using photographs of her before transition, and referring to “sex change operation”.
Despite this, the reaction on social media was overwhelmingly positive, with hundreds sending messages of support for the former boxing promoter.
Fellow former UKIP candidate, Nikki Sinclaire, who is also openly trans, sent her best wishes to Maloney
Respect and best wishes to Kellie #Maloney . I know this would have been difficult and nerve racking— Nikki Sinclaire (@NikkiSinclaire7) August 10, 2014
UKIP MEP for North West England Paul Nuttall also sent good wishes to his former colleague
My friend Kellie (formerly Frank) Maloney is a very brave person – and I wish her the best of luck in her new life https://t.co/eO2x3mqWXG — Paul Nuttall (@paulnuttallukip) August 10, 2014
Johnny Nelson a Sky Sports Boxing and Ringside Columnist and former WBO Cruiserweight Champion tweeted about Maloney’s announcement
Frank Maloney, read your story.. It's your life, don't make others stop who you are. Ignorance is the problem of others, not yours.
— Johnny Nelson (@SkyJohnnyNelson) August 10, 2014
Stonewall Scotland tweeted in support of the media coverage of Maloney’s coming out
Great to see a positive #trans story in the press. Trans issues can and should be reported this way #kelliemaloney https://t.co/7oVMXnnAgt — Stonewall Scotland (@StonewallScot) August 10, 2014
And a friend of Maloney, Eric Hall, a football agent, made a joke as he showed support for her
So Frank Maloney has swapped boxing gloves for chiffon gloves! Jokes aside he's an old mate and it took guts to come out good luck Kellie..
— Eric Hall (@ericbubbalah) August 10, 2014
Some picked up on the fact that male pronouns were often used in coverage of Maloney’s transition
tabloid coverage of #KellieMaloney is appalling. SHE identifies as a woman, why are he/his/him pronouns being used ?!— Emma (@EmmaCharlotte53) August 10, 2014
But a majority of people applauded Maloney for her courage, including Nigel Collins, an ESPN boxing analyst
Bad news: Showtime's putrid boxing telecast. Good news: The courage Frank Maloney showed becoming Kellie Maloney.
— Nigel Collins (@ESPNFNF) August 10, 2014
Boxing promoter Mickey Helliet jumped to Maloney’s defence for past comments
People that r still bareing grudges against Kellie's Maloney from the past&using this2ridicule her need 2think about what he was going thru
— Mickey Helliet (@Mickey_Helliet) August 10, 2014
While some expressed surprise at the announcement, and despite a few transphobic comments, most social media commentary was in support of Maloney.
Queer News. Straight Up.
The LGBTQ+ stories you don't want to miss, delivered to your inbox daily.